260073 A comparison of impulsivity measures in the prediction of post-treatment drinking

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

W. John Monopoli , University at Buffalo, Research Institute on Addictions, Buffalo, NY
Rebecca Houston , University at Buffalo, Research Institute on Addictions, Buffalo, NY
Ronda Dearing , University at Buffalo, Research Institute on Addictions, Buffalo, NY
Gregory G. Homish, PhD , Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY
Gerard Connors , University at Buffalo, Research Institute on Addictions, Buffalo, NY
Research suggests that impulsivity is related to increased substance use and negatively associated with positive treatment outcomes. Research concerning impulsivity in alcohol treatment may be used to inform the development of prevention approaches. Impulsivity is a multi-dimensional construct and numerous impulsivity measures have been developed. Most self-report measures like the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) assess impulsivity as a personality trait and show little relation to measures of impulsive behaviors. The Lifetime History of Impulsive Behaviors (LHIB) is a self-report/interview measure designed to assess the occurrence of specific behaviors, and thus requires less self-insight regarding impulsivity. The current study sought to compare the BIS and LHIB in predicting drinking outcomes after alcoholism treatment. Participants were 31 alcohol-dependent adults (25 men; M age = 46.2 years) assessed before and after 12 weeks of cognitive behavioral treatment. Participants completed the BIS, LHIB, and drinking measures (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Short Inventory of Problems, and Timeline Follow-back Interview). Separate logistic regressions were conducted with post-treatment binary drinking outcomes (heavy drinking, severity, problems) serving as dependent variables and pre-treatment BIS and LHIB scores serving as predictors (controlling for pre-treatment drinking). Results suggest that the LHIB is better at predicting heavy drinking whereas the two measures were equally effective in the prediction of alcohol-related problems. Neither measure was effective at predicting alcohol disorder severity. These preliminary results suggest that impulsive behavior, as measured by the LHIB, may be more useful in the development of prevention efforts focused on reducing risk for relapse among heavy drinkers.

Learning Areas:
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify differences between trait- and behavior-based measures of impulsivity. 2. Evaluate whether trait or behavior-based measures of impulsivity are more effective at categorizing post-treatment drinking outcomes. 3. Assess whether these impulsivity measures predict differing aspects of alcohol outcomes.

Keywords: Alcohol, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have investigated issues relating to alcohol and impulsivity with my advisor, Dr. Rebecca Houston. My research instersts include exploration of different forms of impulsivity and aggression, and how they relate to substance abuse.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.